Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Oct 1995

Vol. 456 No. 7

Written Answers. - British Pension Payments.

Hugh Byrne

Question:

115 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to compensate Irish people drawing pension from Britain who, because of the difference between sterling and the punt are losing out financially. [14721/95]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

Persons in receipt of incomes from the United Kingdom by way of pensions or otherwise can experience either gains or losses depending on the ongoing exchange rates between sterling and the Irish pound. Those in receipt of such pensions have experienced for some considerable time an improvement in income, as their pensions gained in value during the period when the Irish pound remained below parity with sterling. It is only in recent times that this advantage has been eroded.

Any person in receipt of a United Kingdom retirement pension whose means have changed as a result of the change in value of Sterling may be entitled to an old age non-contributory pension from my Department provided their means do not exceed IR£66 per week. A United Kingdom pensioner who is already in receipt of an old age non-contributory pension and whose means have dropped as a result is entitled to request a review of his or her means assessment at any time. In either case, if current unfavourable sterling/ punt exchange rates persist, these will be incorporated in an average exchange rate system used by my Department to assess means.

People in receipt of United Kingdom pensions who are experiencing difficulty as a result of their income falling below the appropriate rate of supplementary welfare allowance for their family size should also contact the community welfare officer at their local health centre.

Having regard to this I have no plans to introduce any scheme in relation to this matter. Indeed it is not yet clear if the current exchange rates between sterling and the Irish punt are a temporary phenomena or are likely to continue in the medium to long term. The matter in so far as it pertains to social welfare pensions is being kept under review.